Governor Brad Little announced today the appointment of Juliet Charron as the new director of Idahoʼs largest state agency, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare DHW. Charron will succeed Alex Adams, who was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Administration of Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate Finance Committee advanced Adamsʼ nomination to the full Senate earlier today.
“I am confident Juliet Charron will lead Health and Welfare with integrity and transparency, delivering services with the greatest efficiency,” Governor Little said. “I thank Alex Adams for his outstanding service and look forward to his contributions at the federal level.”
Charron currently serves as DHW Deputy Director over Medicaid and Behavioral Health, overseeing the administration of Idaho Medicaid, which covers approximately 350,000 residents, as well as Idahoʼs Behavioral Health Authority. Before joining the Idaho DHW, she held leadership roles in the Texas Medicaid program and the Texas Office of Inspector General and
worked for a community-based health plan in Arizona.
She holds a bachelorʼs degree in public policy, planning, and management from the University of Oregon and a masterʼs degree in public health from the University of Arizona. Charron expressed her eagerness to assume leadership of the department: “It is an honor to continue serving Idahoans and lead the dedicated DHW team. I look forward to working
collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver excellent customer service, achieve clear program outcomes, and maintain aggressive transparency.”
Juliet Charron will begin her role as DHW Director on September 15, 2025, as the agency continues its vital work supporting the health, safety, and welfare of hundreds of thousands of Idaho residents.